There are 5 ways to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus, train, or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Bus
best- Take the bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogaribus Citylines 29 / ...
7h₺600–1,600Train via Svilengrad
cheapest- Take the train from Plovdiv to Svilengradtrain Re / ...
- Take the train from Svilengrad to Halkalıtrain
9h 7m₺532–797Drive 410.3 km
- Drive from Plovdiv to Istanbulcar 410.3 km
3h 53m₺3,212–4,640Bus via Bayrampaşa
- Take the bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşabus
7h 46m₺1,229–1,890Train
- Take the train from Plovdiv to Halkalıtrain
9h 17m₺592–3,283
Plovdiv to Istanbul by bus
Comparing Your Travel Options
The cheapest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to train via Svilengrad which costs 500 ₺ - 800 ₺ and takes 9h 7m.
The fastest way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to drive which takes 3h 53m and costs 3.200 ₺ - 4.700 ₺.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Plovdiv Hristo Botev and arriving at Istanbul Büyük Otogari. Services depart every four hours, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 7h.
No, there is no direct train from Plovdiv to Istanbul. However, there are services departing from Plovdiv and arriving at Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali. The journey, including transfers, takes approximately 9h 7m.
The distance between Plovdiv and Istanbul is 415 km. The road distance is 410.3 km.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul without a car is to bus which takes 7h and costs 600 ₺ - 1.600 ₺.
The bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari takes 7h including transfers and departs every four hours.
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Citylines, depart from Plovdiv Hristo Botev station.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), depart from Plovdiv station.
The best way to get from Plovdiv to Istanbul is to bus which takes 7h and costs 600 ₺ - 1.600 ₺. Alternatively, you can train via Svilengrad, which costs 500 ₺ - 800 ₺ and takes 9h 7m.
What companies run services between Plovdiv, Bulgaria and Istanbul, Turkey?
Citylines operates a bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari 3 times a day. Tickets cost ₺1,300–1,800 and the journey takes 7h. Four other operators also service this route. Alternatively, you can take a train from Plovdiv to Yenikapi via Svilengrad and Halkali in around 9h 7m.
- Phone
- +359 2 931 11 11
- bdz_passengers@bdz.bg
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
Train from Plovdiv to Svilengrad
- Ave. Duration
- 2h 20m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₺120–210
- Website
- Bulgarian Railways (BDZh)
- 2nd Class
- ₺120–170
- 1st Class
- ₺160–210
- Phone
- +90 444 8 233
- cozum@tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Svilengrad to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 9m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺380–550
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
Train from Plovdiv to Halkalı
- Ave. Duration
- 8h 39m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺550–3,238
- Website
- Turkish Railways (TCDD)
- Double Room
- ₺1,797
- Single Room
- ₺3,238
- Four Person Room
- ₺1,580
- Phone
- +359 0885700870
- support@citylines.eu
- Website
- Citylines
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺1,300–1,800
- Website
- Citylines
- Phone
- +359 700 20 544
- Website
- Arda Tur
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 15m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₺3,010
- Website
- Arda Tur
- Phone
- 444 0 562
- kamilkoc@kamilkoc.com.tr
- Website
- Kamil Koç
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺600–900
- Schedules at
- Kamil Koç
- Phone
- +49 30 300 137 300
- service@flixbus.com
- Website
- Flixbus
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 45m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- ₺2,000–3,100
- Website
- Flixbus
- Phone
- +90 212 658 18 51
- info@alparturizm.com.tr
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
Bus from Plovdiv Hristo Botev to Istanbul Büyük Otogari
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺950–1,600
- Website
- Alpar Turizm
- Phone
- 0850 222 34 55
- Website
- MetroTurizm
Bus from Plovdiv to Bayrampaşa
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 35m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₺1,100–1,849
- Website
- MetroTurizm
- Standard
- ₺1,100–1,700
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Booking & Getting There
Plovdiv to Istanbul bus services, operated by Citylines, arrive at Istanbul Büyük Otogari station.
Istanbul is 1h ahead of Plovdiv. It is currently 11:35 PM in Plovdiv and 12:35 AM in Istanbul.
Plovdiv to Istanbul train services, operated by Bulgarian Railways (BDZh), arrive at Svilengrad station.
Yes, the driving distance between Plovdiv to Istanbul is 410 km. It takes approximately 3h 53m to drive from Plovdiv to Istanbul.
Book your Plovdiv to Istanbul bus tickets online with Omio, Distribusion and FlixBus.
There are 4302+ hotels available in Istanbul.